Programme overview

The BOptom is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.

This programme enables you to develop communication, empathy and problem-solving skills, particularly working with children, the elderly and the partially sighted.

It will prepare you for registration as an Optometrist, and you’ll be equipped to diagnose visual problems or impairments, advise on the prevention of vision loss, prescribe and provide treatment.

This programme covers both theory and the clinical aspects of Optometry, preparing you for the workforce after graduation.

Entry into the BOptom is limited and competitive. You will be selected on the basis of academic merit and personal qualities exhibited during the selection interview. There are 60 places available each year.

There are Undergraduate and Graduate entry categories into the BOptom.

Programme structure

The BOptom is a five year qualification (600 points) that includes year one, as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (or an equivalent programme of study such as the first year in Health Sciences from the University of Otago).

In the second and third years (Parts II-III), you will take a combination of core courses in applicable life sciences, vision and optometric sciences, anatomy and physiology of vision, mechanisms of disease and optics and visual science.

You will study general optometric practice and aspects of clinical optometry.

In your fourth and fifth years (Parts IV-V), you will study contact lenses, paediatric optometry and binocular vision, and continue to learn about eye diseases and treatments.

You will be required to take courses in advanced clinical optometry and undertake a research project.

You will gain practical experience in examining and treating patients in one of our public clinics and during external placements.

You must also include two General Education courses in your programme (30 points total). One will need to be completed prior to admission to the BOptom (during the first year of the BSc in Biomedical Science), and one the following year in Part Two of the BOptom. Your options are listed in the General Education Schedules that are approved for the BOptom programme.

One 15 point General Education course listed in the Open or EMHSS Schedule (excluding BIOSCI 100G, MEDSCI 100G, MEDSCI 101G, POPLHLTH 103G, POPLHLTH 104G) and ;

POPLHLTH 111 or one 15 point elective course from the Science schedule compatible with the Biomedical Science programme

Please note that while POPLHLTH 111 is not a required course for entry into BOptom, the course provides a strong foundation for a number of concepts addressed in the programme. For this reason, undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to take POPLHLTH 111.

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)

You must have completed at least 126 points in the University of Otago’s HSFY, including the following seven core courses:

BIOC 192

CELS 191

CHEM 191

HUBS 191

HUBS 192

PHSI 191

PUBH 192

Interview eligibility
Applicants must complete the prerequisite undergraduate courses (above) and achieve a minimum expected Grade Point Average (GPA) or Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 (B+ average) in order to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking
All applicants deemed eligible are ranked for interview invitation based on the grades achieved in the core courses only.

Please note:

Interviews are conducted in late-November and early-December each year.

If your final grades are not available, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned for the interview ranking only. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

The minimum GPA or GPE required for an admission interview is determined once we have received and reviewed the entire applicant pool for the admission period and it can vary from year to year.

Graduate entry

In order to apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, you need to have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full-time basis at a recognised university (or similar institution), with the last year of full-time study no more than five years prior to the year of application. Relevant degrees include, but are not limited to, undergraduate programmes in health sciences and biomedical science.

A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full-time for BOptom admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

Depending on the nature of your previous studies, the faculty may permit you to be admitted to Part II of the BOptom programme, or may require you to undertake part or all of the Undergraduate courses initially. If you are required to take Part I courses, you must pass all these courses clearly within one year in order to proceed to Part II.

Interview eligibility

You must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) or Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitation consideration based on the GPA or GPE from the last two academic years of full-time study, with each year weighted equally. In recent years the GPA or GPE of successful applicants has been at least 6.5.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

One General Education course (excluding BIOSCI 100G, MEDSCI 100G, MEDSCI 101G, POPLHLTH 103G, POPLHLTH 104G) and one 15 point elective course from the Science schedule, or

Two General Education courses.

Please note that while POPLHLTH 111 is not a required course for entry into BOptom, the course provides a strong foundation for a number of concepts addressed in the programme. For this reason, Undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to take POPLHLTH 111.

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)
You must have completed at least 126 points in the University of Otago’s HSFY, including the following seven core courses:

BIOC 192

CELS 191

CHEM 191

HUBS 191

HUBS 192

PHSI 191

PUBH 192

Interview eligibility

Applicants must complete the prerequisite undergraduate courses (above) and achieve a minimum expected Grade Point Average / Grade Point Equivalent of 6.0 (B+ average) in order to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

All applicants deemed eligible are ranked for interview invitation based on the grades achieved in the core courses only.

Please note:

Interviews are conducted in late-November and early-December each year.

If your final grades are not available, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned for the interview ranking only. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

The minimum GPA or GPE required for an admission interview is determined once we have received and reviewed the entire applicant pool for the admission period and it can vary from year to year.

Graduate entry

In order to apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, you need to have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full-time basis at a recognised university (or similar institution), with the last year of full-time study no more than five years prior to the year of application. Relevant degrees include, but are not limited to, undergraduate programmes in health sciences and biomedical science.

Depending on the nature of your previous studies, the faculty may permit you to be admitted to Part II of the BOptom programme, or may require you to undertake part or all of the undergraduate courses initially. If you are required to take Part I courses, you must pass all these courses clearly within one year in order to proceed to Part II.

Interview eligibility

You must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitation consideration based on the GPE from the last two academic years of full-time study, with each year weighted equally. In recent years the GPE of successful applicants has been at least 6.5.

Other pathways to study

If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)

How much does a Bachelor of Optometry cost per year?

2018 fees

Domestic students

NZ$8,754*

International students

NZ$53,028*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $6.78 per point, estimated at $1,017.00 for full-time study (150 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

Other important dates

How to apply

Where could this programme take you?

On graduation you can be accredited as a registered optometrist, able to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia.
The majority of optometrists enter private practice, which offers regular hours and the freedom to choose where to live and work.
Optometrists can also practise in hospitals and clinics or work in the industry or research.